Am J Psychiatry 1996; 153:1097-1099
Copyright © 1996 by American Psychiatric Association
Pilot study of explicit grading criteria in the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Part II. Examination
JF McDermott Jr, J Streltzer, KY Lum, CR Nordquist and G Danko
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu 96826, USA. McDermottJ@JABSOM.BIOMED.HAWAII.EDU
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify specific competencies
that differentiated passing from failing performance on the American Board
of Psychiatry and Neurology Part II oral board certification examination.
METHOD: A total of 363 candidates were rated in 18 areas of competence
defined by behavioral criteria. Data were analyzed to determine which areas
best discriminated between passing and failing candidates. RESULTS: In both
parts of the examination, the ability to develop a comprehensive treatment
plan was most influential. After that, specific interview and observational
skills discriminated best. Failing candidates had most difficulty detecting
and following informational and affective cues in their interview of a
patient and presenting a biopsychosocial formulation and comprehensive
treatment plan. CONCLUSIONS: Specific candidate competencies related to
passing and failing performances can be identified and assessed by a rating
scale of observable behaviors on the board certification examination in
psychiatry.
